Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Intro With Questions About My Test Results


flampton

Recommended Posts

flampton Rookie

Hi all,

This is my first post on the site. I'm trying to figure out a few things.

First off is that I suspect I have celiac or atleast gluten sensitivity. After reading books on paleolithic nutrition about a year ago I proceeded on a relatively low gluten diet. The only gluten I got consisted of some beer and chicken wings on the weekends. I felt a lot better during this period in time, with my symptoms of depression, anxiety and IBS relieved to a certain extent, though not completely. Well I never really put two and two together until this Christmas when I began eating all the cookies and deserts that I had received as gifts. Symptoms returned with a vengeance, worse than ever before.

So even though I already know I will do better gluten free, I have decided to try and get a diagnosis. Since I had been on a low gluten load diet I actually wasn't expecting to be positive on the antibody test. Which I wasn't, or atleast not to there consideration. I only got my doc to get me a tTG IgA and total IgA. This was the only available "celiac panel" to me.

Anyways results are

tTG IgA 6.3 negative

total IgA 523 high

Well what shocked me was the really high IgA. Anyone ever have high total IgA? because all I usually read is that low IgA is common in celiacs.

I got the results today by email so I haven't had a chance to talk to my PCP. Suprisingly even with the tTG IgA being negative he already would like me to see a gastroenterologist.

Thanks for any help

Eric


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



floridanative Community Regular

Hi flampton - welcome to the board. I can only share my celiac panel results with you. Only the tTg test came back positive for Celiac and it was only a 10. For various reasons I had another panel done two months later and only the tTg was positive again - only it was now only a 7. The doc who ran that panel called to say I do not have Celiac disease. The third doc did a biopsy but told me I don't have Celiac based on my blood tests results I took in to the consult. He called me last Monday to tell me I have a classic case of Celiac Sprue. My copies of the labs just came in the mail today. Significant flattening of the villi...blah blah blah.

The only issue I see with you getting the biopsy is that if you've cut back on gluten the test may not be conclusive now. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Others with more to offer will post soon.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,914
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    ChrisMary
    Newest Member
    ChrisMary
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.